Chapter 698 I only wish my family to be safe and sound

There are many tourist attractions in Yunnan Province.

There is a famous mountain outside the city, and every autumn, countless literati and scholars go hiking and enjoying the autumn scenery.

Cheng Wanwan led more than ten members of the Zhao family to climb the mountain. In October, the weather was clear and crisp. They climbed from the bottom of the mountain to the top, and everyone felt extremely refreshed.

Standing atop the highest peak, overlooking the entire Yunnan province, she felt an immense sense of pride and exhilaration.

Once upon a time, when she was a modern person, her original motivation for making money was to travel around the world; she was someone who loved to travel.

However, in ancient times, transportation was extremely inconvenient, and the idea of ​​travel gradually disappeared.

“The provincial capital is really big.” Grandma Zhao stood beside her. “The farthest place I had ever been before was Hekou County. I thought Hekou County was very lively. Later, I went to Huzhou and thought Huzhou was really amazing. Now I realize that the provincial capital is the biggest and most prosperous.”

Old Zhao chimed in, "You'll know what true prosperity is when we go to the capital."

An expectant look appeared on Grandma Zhao's face. She was sixty years old this year, and she didn't know if she would be able to live to see that day.

"When we were climbing the mountain, I heard someone say there's a century-old temple there, and it's said to be very effective for praying to the gods," Sun said breathlessly, holding her son who didn't want to walk. "Let's go and ask Fourth Son for a talisman for the top scholar, and we'll ask Xuanxuan for one too. If our Zhao family produces two top scholars in the future, that would be the greatest honor!"

Grandma Zhao immediately nodded: "A century-old temple must have received a lot of incense offerings, it must be very efficacious. Let's go, let's go and pay our respects."

Donghua pouted: "I don't believe in these things, I'm not going..."

"You have to go, whether you like it or not!" Madam Sun grabbed her arm with one hand. "You're not getting any younger, and it's almost time for you to find a husband. I'll pray for a good marriage for you so you can marry a good man."

Donghua's face fell: "I'll only be twelve after the New Year. Nobody in the village says their future husband's family will be good when they're twelve?"

"Can't we meet beforehand?" Madam Sun glared at her. "Just go when I tell you to, stop babbling on and on."

A large group of people walked toward the temple.

Everyone has desires: to make a fortune in business, to find a good marriage partner, to succeed in their studies, to enjoy good health...

This is a temple with a history of about two or three hundred years. It is located in the forest at the top of the mountain. The outer walls have been eroded by wind and rain and have peeled off slightly, but this only shows its age and vicissitudes, which makes people feel solemn.

Cheng Wanwan doesn't believe in ghosts and gods, but her soul traveled from another world a thousand years in the future, so even if she doesn't believe, she still feels awe.

This is the oldest temple in Yunnan Province. Countless people come to pray to the gods and Buddhas. The long, hundred-step staircase at the temple entrance is filled with people slowly moving upwards.

Once they arrived, the crowd automatically quieted down.

They followed the crowd up the steps, walking for about half an hour before finally arriving at the main entrance of the temple.

Upon arrival at the entrance, you can pay to receive incense and then enter to worship the gods. You can also go to the side to draw lots. There are also special halls for marriage and children... Each hall is packed with people.

Cheng Wanwan knelt before the Buddha statue, holding three incense sticks in her hands, and closed her eyes.

I only pray that my family is safe, healthy, and well.

She kowtowed sincerely, then rose and inserted three incense sticks into the incense burner.

After she finished praying, she turned around and saw that Old Mrs. Zhao, Madam Wen, and Madam Sun were still silently reciting their prayers, one prayer, two prayers, three prayers...

After a while, they finished their prayers. After the women finished, Old Man Zhao, Zhao Youyin, and Zhao Youcai also came in to pay their respects. Since they were already there, they figured they might as well do it.

Ms. Sun led her son toward the fortune-telling area, saying, "I'm going to get a fortune for Xuanxuan."

Grandma Zhao hurriedly called out, "You hold Xuanxuan for me, don't squeeze the child."

“No, I need to have a master examine Xuanxuan’s face.” Madam Sun said without turning her head, “You can wander around for a while, I’ll be right back.”

Madam Wen said, "Mother, don't worry, I'll go with you, nothing will happen."

The two walked one after the other towards a crowded area.

Cheng Wanwan led Grandma Zhao and Xia Hua and the other girls to stroll around behind the temple.

There were no deities enshrined in the back, so it was much quieter. The ladies and young women of some large families had already booked rooms and had places to rest.

They were there temporarily and could only sit on the stone benches in the courtyard.

Cheng Wanwan and Old Mrs. Zhao were chatting when they suddenly saw a group of servants escorting a noblewoman to the door of a side room in the backyard.

The young monk leading the way pushed open the door to the side room and said respectfully, "This is the only side room left. Please make do with it, Madam Tang. Once a courtyard becomes available, we will arrange a room for you as soon as possible."

Cheng Wanwan paused, her fingers moving slightly.

Madam Tang... that military commander in the provincial capital is surnamed Tang.

Could this be the wife of the Commander?

She had Cheng Jia install many listening devices in the Tang family's house. These days, she would sometimes listen in, and most of the time it was Mrs. Tang talking to the servants.

Madam Tang came to the temple to pray for good fortune for her son, since he was also taking the provincial examination. Any mother would be anxious before the results were announced, so she came to the temple to seek peace of mind.

Madam Tang was focused on securing a future for her son and didn't hear anything about any shady dealings.

Later, she had Cheng Jia move the listening device to a different location, placing it mainly within the area where Commander Tang was active, hoping that they might be able to hear something.

"Mother, sister-in-law!" Madam Sun rushed over, her face full of excitement. "The master said that our Xuanxuan has the destiny of a scholar, and he will make a living by his knowledge. Does that mean that Xuanxuan will become the top scholar in the imperial examination?"

Grandma Zhao said irritably, "The fortune teller who writes letters on the street also makes a living with his knowledge. What, is the fortune teller a top scholar?"

"Mother, Xuanxuan is your own grandson! Don't you want anything good for him?" Madam Sun was deeply hurt. "I don't care! Xuanxuan is a literary star descended from heaven! He'll definitely be the top scholar in the imperial examination!"

Cheng Wanwan looked at Zhao Mingxuan, who was still clueless, with great sympathy. This child was going to suffer a lot in the future.

"Oh, right, I think I just saw someone I know," Madam Wen said, frowning. "But there were so many people, I don't know if I was mistaken."

Sun asked anxiously, "Who did you see?"

“It looks like Shagen’s wife.” Madam Wen paused and said, “She was dressed in silk and satin, adorned with gold and silver, and had two maids serving her. She gave away five hundred taels of incense money in one go… She looks exactly like Shagen’s wife, but would Shagen’s wife be so extravagant?”

Cheng Wanwan was somewhat surprised.

Sun Shuiqin, also known as Shagen's wife, couldn't stay in the village anymore after she partnered with Manager Hu from Wanquan County and stole her cotton business.

Later, Sun Shuiqin abandoned her husband and her infant daughter and disappeared. This happened more than two years ago.

She thought she would never hear anything about Sun Shuiqin again in her life, but unexpectedly, she met her in the provincial capital.

"I'm not sure if I've seen it correctly," Ms. Wen said uncertainly. "Should I go and double-check?"

Sun stuffed the child into Old Mrs. Zhao's hands, rolled up her sleeves and said, "Come on, let's go see. This little wench just left without a word, leaving Shagen to raise her daughter alone. She's so heartless! I have to teach this heartless slut a lesson for Shagen!"

"Alright, stop causing trouble." Old Mrs. Zhao frowned. "Didn't you hear what your second sister-in-law said? She's dressed in gold and silver now, and has people serving her when she goes out. Can you afford to offend her? Just check from a distance to see if it's really her. If you dare to cause trouble, I won't take you with me on any more long trips."